Sony WH-1000XM6 Review: Smarter Design, Sharper Sound | Devices

Sony has all the time set the gold customary for audiophiles in terms of private audio. Its WH-1000MX collection has been probably the most appreciated and wanted headphone line-ups. And, even because the Indian market has seen extra choices, Sony has in some way managed to maintain up and higher its current merchandise.

In 2025, it has launched the WH-1000XM6 that arrive with the burden of expectation. Can it actually justify an improve when the XM4 remains to be this good and accessible at a lesser worth? Can it rival the AirPods Max or different headphones accessible out there? For somebody who’s been loyal to the XM4 for years, that query hit dwelling. Those headphones have been my fixed journey companions. I’ve taken them on red-eye flights, noise prepare rides and infrequently used them to isolate from workplace gossip.

I briefly used the XM5. They have been good however not sufficient to make me improve. But the XM6 are modern, smarter and subtly reimagined — making them a strong improve over the XM4 or any pair of headphones that you’re at the moment utilizing.

Design and Comfort

One of essentially the most spectacular issues in regards to the WH-1000XM5 is their measurement and portability. They are extremely compact, due to the foldable hinges, a small however important transfer that immediately improves portability. I took these headphones with me on a 34-hour-long flight from New Delhi to Maui, catching two connections in between and had completely no hassle becoming them into the bag or whereas carrying them on the shoulders.

The headphones match snugly into their compact case, which now opens with a satisfying magnetic clasp — a small contact that makes every day use really feel premium and considerate. Comfort-wise, Sony continues its profitable streak. The padded headband and softer ear cushions make lengthy listening periods nearly easy. The total length of the flight felt safe with out the headphones being too tight — a uncommon stability for over-ear headphones.

The total design strategy remains to be the identical because the earlier era whereas including these positive particulars that enhance the usability of the headphones. The earcups even have a cleaner, extra sculpted profile. The form has additionally shifted barely from the XM5’s soft-rectangle type to a rounder, extra balanced contour, mirrored by the round outer panels on every cup.

Sony has additionally made the ability button extra round. It might not be the largest change visibily however is much simpler to search out and press than the oblong button on most headphones. The touch-sensitive controls stay on the precise earcup, dealing with swipes, faucets and lengthy presses for playback and quantity changes. For those that often brush in opposition to the panel by mistake, Sony affords a repair: you’ll be able to merely disable contact enter altogether utilizing the Sony Headphones Connect app.

Sound Quality

Under the hood, the WH-1000XM6 introduces Sony’s all-new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3, changing the QN1 chip discovered within the XM5. The model has mainly skipped a whole era of processing tech, and claims this new engine is seven occasions sooner than earlier than. As per Sony, this processor ensures decrease distortion, improved readability and higher dynamic vary throughout frequencies. This is especially noticeable in high-resolution audio playback.

Sony’s DSEE Extreme engine additionally makes a return, upscaling compressed digital recordsdata to one thing that comes remarkably near high-res high quality. It’s a refined however appreciated contact for many who nonetheless stream or retailer lower-bitrate tracks. The XM6 additionally advantages from a low section noise crystal oscillator to enhance timing precision, in addition to using gold-infused solder in key circuitry to boost sign purity. The results of these refinements is a cleaner, extra managed sound with diminished crosstalk and interference.

All of those enhancements replicate in real-word efficiency. The XM6 ship a noticeably richer and extra dynamic listening expertise than their predecessors. The sound profile is kind of balanced as vocals carry texture whereas bass notes hit deeper with out muddying the mids. Whether it’s delicate acoustic tracks or punchy pop beats, the XM6 handle to search out stability.

I switched between a bunch of acquainted tracks, together with ‘Stairway to heaven’, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, ‘Kasoor’ and will simply discover how far more element these headphones reveal. The audio efficiency was a candy reminder why Sony guidelines this house. The sound was equally good whereas watching reveals like Platonic on Apple TV+. The dialogues have been clear, the background music had good elevation and total expertise was pleasurable.

Just just like the WH-1000XM5, Sony’s newest flagship helps SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs, together with Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification for top-tier sound high quality over Bluetooth. This time, although, Sony ups the ante with help for Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast, paving the best way for decrease latency, higher energy effectivity and future-ready audio sharing options.

ANC and Call Quality

Sony’s has improved the noise cancellation and name readability on the WH-1000XM6 and I can credit score them to at least one factor: extra microphones. The complete depend has gone from eight to 12, with six microphones on every earcup. Four of those are positioned across the periphery and two are tucked neatly beneath the earpads. The outer microphones now sit behind a redesigned mesh layer, engineered to minimise wind interference.

Sony has additionally added one thing known as Adaptive NC Optimiser, which repeatedly analyses your environment and routinely adjusts ANC ranges as you progress via completely different environments. It could be very efficient and handles transitions so easily. In real-world testing, the ANC on XM6 proved remarkably efficient. Be it strolling via the New York streets or sitting via the flights, the headphones have been in a position to take away many of the undesirable noise.

Call high quality has additionally taken a noticeable step ahead. The XM6 now makes use of three beamforming microphones on the outside of the earcup closest to your mouth, working with Sony’s AI-based noise discount algorithms to isolate your voice and suppress background sounds.

Additional Features

Like earlier generations, there are bunch of options that assist you to take essentially the most out of those headphones. There is Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity which permits the XM6 to connect with two gadgets concurrently. The switching course of is seamless as properly. You may be watching a film in your laptop computer and immediately take a name in your cellphone with out lacking a beat.

Sony’s acquainted Speak-to-Chat characteristic makes one other look. Start speaking and the headphones routinely decrease the amount so you’ll be able to have a fast dialog with out eradicating them. It’s helpful in day-to-day use, although there’s nonetheless a quick delay earlier than the characteristic prompts.

The Quick Attention mode is again as properly. So you simply want to put your hand over the precise earcup and the headphones immediately let in ambient sound. It’s good for catching fast bulletins on the airport. And for those who favor to remain conscious of your environment on a regular basis, you’ll be able to allow Ambient Sound mode, which blends exterior noise naturally into your listening expertise.

Battery and Charging

Despite the brand new processing energy, battery life stays unchanged at a strong 30 hours with Bluetooth and Active Noise Cancellation enabled. It’s not a step up, however given the calls for of the upgraded chip, sustaining that runtime seems like an achievement in itself. I used them via my flight with ANC on and on a single cost, I made it with out the headphones dying on me.

Final Verdict

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best-sounding pair of headphones I’ve used until date. They are additionally essentially the most full pair of headphones I’ve examined. And, it’s no imply feat. Sony already had a near-perfect product on this class and to prime that will have required an distinctive effort. Just like most years, it has delivered and the way! There are some wise modifications to the design, a bunch of recent options, improved noise-cancellation and stellar battery.

So, the decision is obvious: you probably have the cash and wish to purchase a pair of headphones, that is the machine it’s worthwhile to spend on.